Public reaction still crucial for resolution of shutdown

Voters make voices heard as shutdown's second week looms

1:54 AM,
Oct. 6, 2013

Billy Long

Written by

Before the government shutdown began, many political observers predicted that House Republicans would shoulder the lion's share of the blame for the funding impasse - and that the GOP would wilt in the face of public anger as the national parks closed, passport applications stalled, and veterans' claims sat in limbo.

Republicans will "fold like hotcakes" once the public starts to feel the pain of the shutdown, predicted Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., who served in the House during the 1995-96 shutdowns of six and 21 days that ended with the GOP tarnished.